“Until jealousy sets in.” Maverick laughs and heads to the kitchen for another beer. “I’m sure the sex is fun, but the logistics probably aren’t that smooth.”

Molly shakes her head back and forth quickly, then takes another sip of her vodka. “I mean sure, the books have a lot of sex, and the sex does seem good, but what the concept is really about… is family. You get these guys who have a brotherhood and this woman who binds them all together. They have kids and it’s a whole thing.”

“Where does she sleep?” I love seeing Molly so free with herself. It’s been a long while since she’s been able to let loose. “I can’t imagine all these people sleep in the same dog pile.”

“No, they don’t. Well… sometimes they do. Like if they’ve had a particularly rowdy night they might, but typically everyone has their own room, and the guys take turns sleeping with her.”

“I’d miss that,” Maverick groans and pushes the sleeves up on his shirt. The man looks great in that worn Carhartt shirt. “That’s the best part of a relationship, crawling into bed at the end of the night together.”

“There was this one book I read where the guys staggered their bedtimes so she could lay with each of them before she went to bed.”

“Not the same,” Maverick groans. “I want to fall asleep with my girl’s cold ass feet on the back of my legs, then fight her for the covers all night long.”

I laugh. “Well, you’re the only one. I love a good cuddle from time to time but I’ve never been big on bed sharing. I don’t get it. Everyone needs a good night’s sleep, and most people sleep better alone.”

Molly rolls her eyes. “How very…practical. You’d definitely be the brooding type in a harem.”

“Is that bad?”

Her head shakes back and forth. “He’s the doer. The responsible one who gets shit done when you need it done, but he’s not all that emotional about it.”

My chest fills with pride at the title. “He sounds smart and useful.”

She grins. “He is. He makes all her dreams come true.”

“And in return, she gives him endless blowjobs?” I laugh. I’ve never said anything so risqué around Molly before, and I feel a little guilty about it. She’s my buddy’s little sister and I’m supposed to be looking out for her, not talking about blowjobs and harems.

It might be time I put this bottle down.

Molly laughs. “Yeah, something like that. The rest of the guys too.”

“So, hypothetically, who’s in your dream harem?” My heart thumps hard. I don’t know why I asked. I don’t want toknow the answer. The last thing I need to hear about is all the men she’s into.

“You mean real people?”

“As opposed to fake ones?”Why do you keep saying dumb shit, man?I take another swig of liquor then glance at her sweet brown eyes, wondering if we should all lay off on the alcohol.

“No. I was thinking you wanted celebrity names, but I don’t really watch much TV, so I wouldn’t be able to give you much to go off of.”

“So, real people then.” My stomach tightens as I tip back more medicine. I have a feeling I’m going to need it. I know Molly is off limits, but in my head, she’s always been the one. The one that made sense over everyone else. The one that life just clicked with. The one that I fantasize about. The one I compare every single fucking woman I meet to.

Shit!Why the fuck do I do this to myself?I’ve decided dozens of times I would stop. It does no fucking good to obsess over something I can never have. Still though, every night I go to bed, and though we’ve never laid next to each other, never spent the night together, I feel her.

She sucks in a deep breath and tilts her head to the side. “Okay… well… there’s Holden. He’s the big, tall, nerdy type, but he’s got this gentle daddy vibe thing goin’ on. It’s like when we’re together, I know his purpose is to care for me.”

I refrain from gasping in horror and making vomiting noises like an eight-year-old. It’s a real effort considering how drunk I am. “He’s your therapist,” I snap. “Of course he cares for you. You’re paying him.”

“No, it’s more than that. He’s soft and kind, and I don’t know… it’s a fantasy.” She laughs and swigs down another sip of the clear liquid. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. You’re on the list. I was saving you for last.”

“I’m on the list?” My brows raise and my cock thumps at my zipper. “I didn’t think that was an option.”

“Are you kidding? You’ve known me my entire life, and like I said earlier… you get shit done. I like that no nonsense kind of living. I’ve never questioned things with you.” She leans back on the couch and lets out the softest whine. “I’ve had too much to drink.”

“Who’s the third?” I don’t know why I need to know. The therapist thing already pissed me off. I’m not sure how the hell I’ll look at Holden now knowing she wants him.

“I don’t know,” she grins, “but your friend Maverick here is pretty hot. I bet we could make pretty babies.” She stands and flips her hair back, then walks toward Maverick who’s just minding his business flipping through an old junk trader magazine on the opposite side of the small living room. “Would you like to join my harem, Maverick?”

He glances toward me with wide eyes as she straddles his lap and hooks her hands around the back of his neck. If she knew Maverick’s story, I’m not sure she’d be so free right now. Then again, maybe she would be. The second bottle of vodka was probably a bad idea.